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Thursday, May 28, 2009

Quilting Done!


I finished listening to "Atlas Shrugged" earlier this week. I was sad to reach the end...I wish the story could have gone on and on and on...what an intriguing plot! If you haven't read it (or listened to it) yet, put it at the TOP of your summer reading list!

I was talking to my Dad yesterday, and mentioned it..and he remembers reading it in the 60's (It was released 1957)and is going to read it again. I told him...if you think it applied THEN, you should reaquaint yourself with it NOW! Seriously. What a timely book!

So now that that is over *sigh*....I am back to listening to the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series...I'm all the way up to "Drums of Autumn" and I love these so much too. I've read them all...all the way through "A Breath of Snow and Ashes" and anxiously awaiting the next release due this fall. So in the mean time, I'm revisiting them by listening to the audio version while I drive and work on quilts.

The quilting is done on "Nines in the Middle".....and I am putting binding and a hanging sleeve on this morning in prep for doing the hand work in the evenings. Thanks for the comments on the quilting. You know, the longer I have quilted...the more I love a really good pantograph on a busy scrap quilt. It just adds another dimension more so to me than intricate heirloom by-the-block can. And when the quilt is so busy.....intricate quilting would be completely lost. I'm in awe of the designers that are out there now, and what they make available to us!

In the same way....when I play the piano...I am one of those who needs the sheet music in front of her to make beautiful music. I don't play by ear, and I don't do well by memory...so in a way, a pantograph pattern for my quilt, is like sheet music on the piano. The finished result is still beautiful, and it is no way "less" in my book!

The pattern on this one is "Wild at Heart" by Jodi Beamish and Willow Leaf Studio.

22 comments:

  1. Atlas Shrugged is maybe my all time favorite book. Read it in the early 70's and twice since. Can't imagine it being anywhere near as good on tape. Even though I normally speed read, this is one book I savored every word and went back and re-read pages (like Galt's long speech). Rand has many good books you should check out. The Fountainhead is wonderful and so are some of her lesser known works.

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  2. I just reread that book last summer. It is one of my favorite books. Another beautiful quilt...
    Chris

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  3. I love the red checks in this quilt. And thanks for the book suggestion, I need to get back to reading (or listening) more

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  4. I was on the willow leaf web site the other day. They do have some great designs. Pantos have come a long way in the past few years!

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  5. I read Atlas Shrugged at the beginning of my senior year in high school. I don't remember it, but I remember thinking at the time that it was the best book I'd ever read. Thanks for the reminder -- maybe it's time to reread it.

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  6. I loved the Outlander series and even got to hear her speak at a local bookstore - she isn't quite what I expected. But she surely is able to make you feel like you know the characters - Jamie and Claire seem like folks that I should know. I've been listening to the Irish Country Doctor series - if you're into something light - they are charming and great to quilt by.
    Good wishes,
    NanaMarne

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  7. Thank-You Bonnie.
    When I come and visit your site, I don't always say something, but I always leave with something.
    You have such great talent, and I enjoy reading your words. I love an audio book - with all the things I want to do, sitting and reading is not always something I can find the time for. But, having it read to me, I can enjoy what I have to do, while I am getting to enjoy what I want to do.
    I will have to look for this book. Thanks for the recomendation.
    And for sharing your quilting with us, and your thoughts and observations on the whole process!!

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  8. I will definitely put it on my summer reading list! I love books! Audio books are the next best thing and then you can do two things at once! Love your quilt!

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  9. Aha! I'm waiting to see what is on the FRONT of this quilt - but I see a glimpse of "everything but the kitchen sink?" in this photo.

    ??

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  10. thanks for the pano tip. I may need it in the future. haha I have read all the Outlander series. Off to the libary tomorrow to check on Atlas Shrugged. Love the quilting.

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  11. Hi Bonnie, love the quilt!
    I have a TED talk to share with you. I thought of your son when I saw it and it is not too late for him to learn "not to eat the marshmallow." Hope all is going well for you.

    http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/joachim_de_posada_says_don_t_eat_the_marshmallow_yet.html

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  12. I love the Outlander series too, and am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. I haven't read Atlas Shrugged, but on your recommendation, I'll give it a go!

    I really enjoy your blog. Thanks!

    Colleen

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  13. The quilt is lovely. I found 3 of the Gabaldon Outlander (??) books in a yard sale a year or so back and couldn't get into them, so I donated them to a thrift shop recently.

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  14. I know you've addressed the thread question before, but I've recently made several scrappy tops and I'm wondering what color to use for the quilting? I'm about to try invisible thread for the first time, but maybe a cream or light blue would work too. Please share your thoughts!

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  15. I'm with you on using pantographs or all over freehand designs on busy scrap quilts...my favorite pantographs seem to come from Willow Leaf Studios.

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  16. I still don't really understand what a pantograph is. Some kind of pattern?

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  17. I haven't come across this book, but after your comments and others in the comments here I'm off to Amazon in a minute.
    Thanks too for the name of the panto, I was going to ask you that

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  18. Hi Bonnie
    Read Atlas Shrugged years ago in college - you are right; it is the kind of book that is relative I think to any time. I have read the Outlander Series. Love them. I really should try to listen to the audio books. Have never tried that.

    the checks in this quilt make it perfect.

    Blondie

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  19. Bonnie,
    I too love pantographs...I will be checking this one out for sure. Love the back on this quilt. What a fun addition!
    quilt hugs
    tricia

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  20. Bonnie,
    I've read the Outlander series about 4 times and just finished (two nights ago) "A Breath of Snow and Ashes" again. I'm really excited to get the new one out this fall. Can't wait.

    Since you like the Outlander series, try Sara Donati's Wilderness series, starting with "Into the Wilderness". It actually is a continuation of the "Last of the Mohicans" story --the next generation. There are 5 books out and a 6th book out in January 2010. In the story, the narator actually mentions Claire and Jamie. Pretty cool to see authors co-mingle characters.

    I'm going to the library tonight, so I'll checkout Atlas Shrugged. I don't know why I've never read that before.

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  21. Atlas Shrugged is on my "to read" list; I absolutely LOVE Diana Gabaldon's series. It's one of those I can read over and over again.

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  22. I'm late on this post, but I'm catching up on your archives. I love the Outlander series. I've read them all and listened to the unabridged audio books, too. Davina Porter does a great job with it. I'm already on the waiting list at the library for An Echo in the Bone. See you in August!

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